Five Wisden Cricketers Of The Year revealed

This week has seen the release of the cricket lover’s bible, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2022

It will be the 159^th edition of this remarkable book that is held in high esteem by the world of cricket.

Every year when the book is published, Wisden announce their five cricketers of the year.

England’s Ollie Robinson is the first to be named. Robinson of Sussex, in his first summer as a test cricketer collected seven wickets on debut against New Zealand at Lords. Robinson then went on to take two five-wicket hauls against India at Trent Bridge and Headingley. He eventually finished the Indian series with an impressive total of 21 wickets.

Indian opener Rohit Sharma has also been named. Sharma, was at the heart of his sides 2-1 series win over England. He made an elegant 83 in treacherous conditions at Lords and a superb 127 at the Oval. His series tally of 368 runs at an average of 52 was higher than any of his team mates.

Fellow Indian Jasprit Bumrah is another popular choice. Bumrah was central to India’s two test wins last summer taking three for 33 on the final afternoon at Lords to set up a crucial win. Bumrah, was also instrumental in India’s victory at the Oval by bowling Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow in successive overs.

In all he managed 18 wickets at 20 apiece in four tests and also crucially scored some unexpected tailend runs.

Devon Conway became only the seventh batter in test history to score a double century on debut. He was also only the second New Zealander to perform this feat, and the first by anyone to do so at the home of cricket-Lords.

He followed his history making performance with 80 at Edgbaston where New Zealand claimed their first series win in England since 1999.

Dan van Niekerk captained the Oval Invincibles to victory in the first Hundred competition and was also both the competition’s leading run scorer and most valuable player.

Joe Root has been rightly rewarded for his outstanding contribution to English cricket by being named the Leading Cricketer in the World. In a calendar year with an England side struggling, Root amassed an incredible 1,708 runs, beaten only by Mohammad Yousuf in 2006 and Viv Richards back in 1976.

The Leading Woman Cricketer in the world has also been announced as Lizelle Lee. The South African opener had a year to remember after hitting more runs than anybody else in 11 one day internationals she scored 632 runs at an average of 90. Her tally also included an unbeaten 132 against India along with four half centuries.

Also in this years Wisden, Azeem Rafiq speaks on the English games racism storm and a wonderful section on Cricket played around the world, which features Ukraine, highlighting that the wonderful game of cricket is played anywhere around the world and enjoyed by all.

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